Tie rack



April 15, 1930. c. K. FREEMAN TIE RACK Filed DecV 19, 1928 M f 0 mk if 1% Q NLM w W w y Patented Apr. l5, 1930 UNITED STATES CHARLES K. FREELIAN, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TIE BACK Application filed December- 19,1928. Serial No. 327,148. s

This invention relatesto racks for neckties and the like and has for an object to provide a rack of improved construction, having y means for releasably supporting a plurality of ties in convenient arrangement, exposing a portion of cach tie, for facilitating selection therefrom. Another objectis to provide a device of simplified and compact construction, adapted to support a plurality of ties in substantially fiat arrangement `against an upright surface, thus occupying a minimum of space. A further object isto provide in convenient relation to the tie rack, improved means for holding collar buttons. The invention consists in certain features and elements of construction in combination as herein shown and described, and as indicated by the claims. i

In the drawings Figure 1 is a face view of the combination tie rack and collar button holder, embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken as indicated at line, 242, on Figure 1.

taken substantially' at line, 3-3, on Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary View of the rear side of the device.

Figure 5 is a face view of the device showing a modified arrangement of the necktie su porting members.

igure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of another modified construction.

The tie rack embodying the present invention is substantially flat. and relatively thin in form which makes it especially suitable for hanging on an upright surface such as a wall or door. The rack is made from sheet material, preferably metal, formed as a stamping. As illustrated, the device is of rectangular outline, and consists of a base or back plate, 10, having its edges flanged and bent rearwardly, as indicated at 11 and 12, respectively, forming a hollow frame in which is inserted a filler member, 18, such as cardboard, which is tightly held in place by the tangs, 14, clinched over against the back of the filler board; the tangs being formed in tegral with the flanged edges, 11 and 12. The filler board serves to give body to the device Figure 3 is a transverse cross sectional view and also provides reinforcement for the thin metal stamping. The upper flanged edge, 12,

is formed with a pair of transversely spaced upstanding lugs or ears, 15, by which is secured a cord, 16, for suspending the rack from a hook or nail.

Struck out of the base'plate, 10,`are a plurality of lugs, 18, arranged in rows in transversely spaced relation. These lugs are each connected to the base plate at one end and extend horizontally in spaced and substantially parallel relation to said base plate. The free end of each lug is flared outwardly as at 19, to facilitate positioning of a necktie or the like thereon. A portion intermediate the ends of each lug is bent inwardly as at 2U, in close proximity to the face surface ofthe base plate, and acts as a springk member, so that when a necktie is disposed thereon this spring portion grips the tie between it and the base plate, and yieldingly maintains the tie 1n proper position.

As shown in Figure 1 the lugs of said rows are aligned with each other but owing to the distance bet-Ween the lugs of the respective rows, the ends of the tie carried on the upper lug will terminate a corresponding distance short of the ends of the tie suspended from the next lower lug, permitting a portion of each tie to be exposed to facilitate the matter of selection. By means of the novel arrangement of the lugs, the ties may be disposed with their flat surfaces facing outwardly in substantially parallel relation to and closely adjacent the upright surface, thus occupying a minimum amount of space.

The base plate is formed with an upright slot, 22, opening at its upper end into an enlarged circular opening, 23, so that the (usually round) base of a collar button may be inserted therein to permit its upright stem or shank to enga-ge in the slot, 22, as the base is slid downwardly and seated in the bottom of said slot. As the entire rack device is in the nature of a metal stamping, I prefer- 95 ably wish to utilize the stock formerly occupying the space of the slot and opening, 22, and 23, respectively for guiding and retaining the collar buttons therein. It will therefore be understood that this material as indi- 100 cated at 24, is punched out and depressed below the surface of the base plate, but may be left integrally connected thereto by the web portions, 25 and 26, at the lower end ofthe slot, 22, and the upper edge of the opening, 23, respectively. Due to the depressed portion, 2l, heilig connected at its ends, the intermediate portion is sprung upwardly adJacent the plate. l0, as shown in Figure 3, and acts as a spring, which yieldingly engages and maintains the collar buttons in position when inserted in the slot; this preventing their bcing dropped out when the device is removed from the wall.

In the modification illust-rated in Figure .5, the lugs, 26, are arranged in two rows. 1n staggered relation; the lugs of one row being aligned with the spaces between the lugs of the other row, so that the upper portions of the ties when supported on the lugs will be clearly exposed at all times, rendering the select-ion of a tie from the group more eX- peditious.

Figure 6 shows a modified construction consisting of a base plate or panel, 30, of suitable material such as Wood or fiber, and necktie supporting elements as separate fixtures conveniently arranged thereon. These supporting elements are in the nature of hooks, formed of round or flat stock, and each in- `rludes a short shank portion, 31, and a laterally projecting arm, 32, of considerably greater length. extending at right angles thereto. The end of the shank` 3l, is threaded into the panel, 30, for support-ing the arm, 32, in horizontal position. The shank is provided with the usual annular flange, 33, adapted to abut against the panel surface, and limit the distance between the arm, 32, and said panel. 'I' he outer end of the arm is flared outwardly at 34, to facilitate positioning and removing the necktie from the arm. Co-operating with the arm, 32, is a flat spring guard, 35, shaped in a reverse curve, and having one end bevond the end of the arm, secured to the panel by a screw, or brad, 36. Said spring is positioned with its intermediate portion in substantial contact with the under side of the arm adjacent the end, closing the gap between the arm and panel and with the free end of the spring in sliding contact in a recess, 37, formed in the surface of the panel, so that theI end of the spring lies below the panel surface and will not catch upon or cause injury to a t-ie when the latter is removed from the arm. The fixed end of the spring is preferably rounded or flanged as at 38, and driven into the panel to further protect the tie against in- ]ury' My improved tie rack and collar button holder is simple and durable in construction, and is capable of economical manufacture. The device is arranged to support the ties compactly and yet conveniently, and is particularly adaptable as a tie carrying kit for traveling, as it occupies very little space when packed because the ties, while still supported on the lugs may be Wrapped flatly around the rack, thus insuring agalnst undesirable creasing or wrinkling thereof; and the collar buttons will also be securely held in position in the slot.

I claim 1. A tie rack comprising a base plate, and a plurality of transversely spaced lugs struck out of said plate and connected thereto at one end, and extending horizontally in spaced and substantially parallel relation to said base plate, the free ends of said lugs being flared outwardly and a. portion of each lug intermediate its ends being flexed inwardly in close proximity to said base plate, Whereby said lugs are adapted to support neckties or the like with the faces of the ties disposed substantially parallel to said base and to yieldingly hold said ties in fixed position thereon.

2. In a rack consisting of a base plate having formed therein an aperture and a downwardly extending slot opening ofl" said aperture, the metal formerly occupying said aperture and slot being depressed in spaced and substantially parallel relation to the plate for guiding and maintaining collar buttons and the like in place in said slot.

3. In a structure defined in claim 2, said depressed portion being connected to the base plate at both ends, a portion thereof intermediate said ends being formed to act as a spring for yieldingly engaging and maintaining the collar buttons firmly in the slot.

CHARLES K. FREEMAN. 

